Negativity about the economic situation in the world is rampant and, unfortunately, all our lives have been affected–some more drastically than others.
Boaters are left with many questions:
- What should we do with the boat this summer?
- Should we buy new and take advantage of bargains?
- Should we sell?
- Should we just store the boat for the summer?
- Should we use the boat as a cottage and enjoy it at the dock?
- How can we reduce costs, yet continue boating?
We think there is a very positive way of dealing with the boat.
KEEP YOUR BOAT and KEEP ON BOATING!
We all know that boating comes with a price and today we are all watching our dollars and cutting back everywhere. But, now more than ever, we need an “out”—somewhere relaxing to go and re-energize.
Boating is one of the best ways to get away from it all and have fun doing it.
Just cut back and reduce your variable costs to fit your modified boating budget.
Your boat is a great asset in troubled times, so keep it high on your list of priorities.
- You’ve already invested in the boat, so keep enjoying your investment.
- The average cost per outing decreases the more you use it.
- There are many ways to boat for less
- Read more to learn how to stretch a buck on the water
It will be far more economical to use your boat more than a flight or cruise or any other holiday
Enhance your boating
Enjoy what you’ve got! Spice up your boat a little and take this opportunity to relax on the water to escape the everyday stresses. Everything is better on a boat.
Enhance your boat to make it more comfortable and enjoyable. Enhancing Your Boat is a free e-Lesson available on our website with many inexpensive ways to add features for enjoyment and safety, simplify procedures to eliminate frustrations, gain knowledge, improve skills and more.
Enjoying Closer Destinations
Think about enjoying closer destinations and different ways to boat. Somehow, many boaters have become used to believing that they have to travel to unknown places to have a holiday. Not so. Some of the best places are close by and you can save a lot of money on fuel, have a shorter trip and more time to enjoy the destination—whether the destination is an anchorage for the afternoon or over-nighting at a nearby facility.
If you think about it, your nearby destination is a faraway destination for boaters from another harbour. Enjoy what they enjoy when they visit.
We endorse the smart Tourist Associations that are promoting,
“Enjoy your own backyard”.
You’ll not only help the local economy, you’ll save money too.
Saving Meal Costs
Instead of dining out every weekend, consider barbequing aboard or at the marina’s picnic table with fellow boaters, family and/or friends. Just involve everyone in meal preparation and cleanup so one person doesn’t get saddled with all the work. Share the work, share the fun.
Anchor out and barbeque dinner aboard. This saves a long distance trip, transient dockage and restaurant meals.
Reward youself by enjoying your favourite restaurant on the water once a month, instead of every weekend.
Saving Fuel Costs
When we wrote “27 Fuel Saving Tips” (Free download), we realized that you don’t have to go far to enjoy the water. We started choosing local marinas to visit and enjoy what they had to offer instead of travelling great distances. The big benefit–reduced fuel costs. The oil companies don’t need your hard earned money.
We are having trouble with this download link, so please contact us and we’ll send you one by return email.
Taking Courses
This winter and spring is also a great time to further your education. Sign the whole family up for Power and Sail Squadron courses this spring, so they will all be ready and eager to try out their newly acquired “Navigation Skills” and enthusiastically participate in trip planning and the cruise itself.
Having the whole family knowledgably involved, makes the trip as much fun as the destination. No more “are we there yet?” The kids may even put down their iPods. Prepare now and be ready for a more enjoyable summer on the water.
Many insurance companies will give you a discounted premium on your insurance policy if you have taken courses. You also save on hull repair bills.
Knot Tying
Have the whole family learn the “Six Knots You Need to Know”. We have them all listed on our website with pictures, video and most importantly, what to use them for after you have learned to tie them. The lessons on our site are free and easy with huge payback.
Learn them now, before the boating season gets underway, then turn knot tying into an event or game to see who can tie all six the fastest or who can catch a line while in the water and tie a bowline around their waist ready for rescue. Kids love these kinds of challenges and will be able to use the knots forever-not just on the boat but all year—at home, in the garage, at work, in the yard, everywhere.
Knots are Free and Reliable and can save a life and protect your boat from costly repairs.
Docking Lessons
Teach your whole family to dock your boat. Your family members are all Captains and First Mates in training so why not train them.
If your whole family knows how to dock the boat, think of how this would eliminate the fear of docking each time you return to the dock and how many more times you’d go out knowing you have a competent crew to help you.
You can hire a “hands-on” boat handling expert this summer, but they are hard to find and can be quite costly ($100/hour and more).
A great alternative is to get started now with a Docking e-Lesson at a fraction of the price and all members of your family can use the same instruction as often as they need. Have them read and understand the techniques now, so they will be ready this summer with new knowledge.
When your whole crew learns the same techniques, your docking procedure will be simplified, so you will actually look forward to coming into your dock. Welcome the audience to witness your skills. Say goodbye to “Captain Krunch”.
It will be like having Doug Dawson, boat handling expert, whispering in your ear each time you read the e-Lesson and learn the techniques this summer. The bonus? You won’t have to pay an hourly rate!
A Docking e-Lesson could be one of the best investments you’ll ever make.
Learn to Dock like a Pro and save on repair bills.
Eliminating Mom’s Worry and Fear
To learn what a First Mate does and how to do it easier, “First Mate 101” is a great book to have on board. Learn how to eliminate worry and fear and enjoy boating more.
When the First Mate is happy, the whole crew is happy.
Enjoy Enhanced Boating
Enjoy boating on your boat this year in new and different, less-expensive ways. You’ll be amazed at how many ideas will come out of a brain storming session with your family and boating friends.
Have fun on your boat this summer–even if it is “Raining On Your Parade”.
Keep Your Boat and Keep on Boating!
Happy Boating,
by Doug and Brenda Dawson
